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Monthly Cooking Thread - January 2020

Posted on 12/29/2019 2:19:44 PM PST by Jamestown1630

The picture above is of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) who ruled Siam from 1868 to 1910. He was a great modernizer and reformer, and is still beloved in the memory of the people of Thailand. Included in his many reforms were the ending of slavery and forms of indentured service in Siam; ending the practice of prostration; and clarifying and systematizing issues of land ownership. This photo of him cooking on his porch is still displayed in many Thai homes and businesses today.

I’ve only eaten in a Thai restaurant once, but had a wonderful dish of duck seasoned with Thai Holy Basil. This is different from the basil that we generally know, and is even different from what is known simply as ‘Thai Basil’; it has a much more spicy and peppery flavor. If you can’t find the ‘Holy’ basil in your local ethnic store, you can order it online (dried forms are even available); or use regular basil – the result won’t be the same even with the dried kind, but the dish should still be very good. Here is a short discussion on the different types of Thai Basil:

https://www.spiceography.com/thai-basil-vs-holy-basil/

And here is a recipe that seems very similar to what I enjoyed in the restaurant:

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/thai-basil-duck-50031764

The picture above is of a traditional Thai mold used to create a little hors d’oeuvre called ‘Kratong Tong’, also known as ‘Golden Cup’, and the mold is similar to the rosette or timbale irons that we use to create pastry shells for similar 'little bites'. Here, from Import Food, purveyors of Thai foods, ingredients and cookware, is a recipe for Thai Kratong Tong:

https://importfood.com/component/yoorecipe/recipe/19-golden-thai-pastry-cups-kratong-tong

(I have no relationship with 'Import Foods', but have very much enjoyed some of their products and their website.)

-JT


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Food; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: basil; duck; thailand
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To: Jamestown1630
Hmmm, I thought you were ripping off

Storybook Express - Make Way For Ducklings (7:33)

at first.

FWIW, there are statues of the ducks in the Boston Public Garden, and I think Barbara Bush gave Gorby's wife a replica for the USSR.

I really like duck, but get bored with lemongrass in Thai dishes quite easily.

Peking Duck's the way to go, imo.

61 posted on 12/30/2019 5:07:50 PM PST by Calvin Locke
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To: Calvin Locke

That’s funny - I’d never seen that, but my story is 100 per cent true.

I’ve just always worried that as soon as we sent them down the path to the lake, the mother decided to try again.

I like to think that if she did, they all made it safely across.


62 posted on 12/30/2019 5:15:24 PM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it")
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To: nopardons

Have you done this with frozen duck? That’s pretty much all I can get easily.


63 posted on 12/30/2019 5:16:37 PM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it")
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To: Jamestown1630
The BEST duck comes from Long Island, which I get fresh in NYC; however, yes, I've also used frozen ducks as well. This recipe works for duck and goose; though I stuff my goose with dried fruits...the Hungarian way to do it.

The best frozen duck brand is MAPLE LEAF, which I know is available in the Midwest ( especially in Chicago ) and on the East coast. Other brands are really rather "iffy".

For those who have never made duck before and are afraid to try to make it from scratch, Maple Leaf also makes a 1/2 a duck, which comes with an orange sauce in a packet.

64 posted on 12/30/2019 5:27:28 PM PST by nopardons
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To: nopardons

I will look for Maple Leaf. Thanks!


65 posted on 12/30/2019 5:39:24 PM PST by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it")
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To: Qiviut

Hi there, what brand of coffee do you buy for your percolator? I loved reading your post. My late aunt, gone many years now had an electric stainless steel percolator, she and my uncle lived a couple of hours away and when we would visit she would offer coffee. My husband has his own bean blend, grinds the beans and has a very upscale coffee maker but I swear that coffee my aunt made was the best coffee I ever had in my life. I never did ask her what brand but I am tempted to look for a small percolator and try it out, so what brand do you buy? Many thanks.


66 posted on 12/30/2019 5:39:54 PM PST by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Jamestown1630

You’re welcome! :-)


67 posted on 12/30/2019 5:43:20 PM PST by nopardons
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To: MomwithHope
Try Yuban Coffee; you can buy it on line.

My grandmother swore by it.

Then it was discontinued for several decades and when it came back, we bought it and still do.

68 posted on 12/30/2019 5:53:23 PM PST by nopardons
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To: nopardons

Hey I remember Yuban coffee and buying it probably 30 years ago. I liked it but did not have a percolator. Thanks.


69 posted on 12/30/2019 5:56:00 PM PST by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: MomwithHope
You're welcome! :-)

We FREEPERS do like helping and on nice, non-political/non-news threads, such as this one, we all learn from one another.

70 posted on 12/30/2019 5:58:41 PM PST by nopardons
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To: Qiviut; nopardons

Found a 6 cup farberware online. Qiviut would love your brand recommendation too.


71 posted on 12/30/2019 6:03:35 PM PST by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: MomwithHope
Oh good for you!

When I was growing up, sometime, Yuban became unatainable and I do remember the grownups, especially my grandparents, bemoaning the fact. So when it came back, in the late 1960s, I bought it and have done ever since. It is a very good coffee. I just wish that they made decafe.

The best decafe brand, IMO, is S&W.

72 posted on 12/30/2019 6:09:52 PM PST by nopardons
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To: nopardons

I only drink one cup a day in the morning. I’ve never bought decaf seeing as I drink it for the caffeine. LOL


73 posted on 12/30/2019 6:14:37 PM PST by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: MomwithHope
I just threw the decaf thing in, in case anyone else, besides me, has to stay away from caffine, for medical reasons. ;^)

Though I do admit to a little "cheating" every now and then.

74 posted on 12/30/2019 6:17:20 PM PST by nopardons
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To: Jamestown1630

Looking at “pros/cons” of percolators when I was doing some research, one of the ‘cons’ was no timer. I think this could easily be remedied by just buying a separate timer, plug it in the wall, & then plug the ‘loaded’ percolator in to the timer. We used to buy timers for lamps, etc. for when we went on vacation so the house wouldn’t look totally dark when certain lights being on after dark was the norm. I haven’t looked at timers in years (probably decades), but I would imagine there are some decent choices that aren’t too expensive. Just a thought if you really wanted to go to a percolator.


75 posted on 12/31/2019 4:41:30 AM PST by Qiviut (I love the smell of covfefe in the morning - coffee or napalm, depending on the day.)
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To: MomwithHope
I read a lot of reviews on Amazon. The primary thing I wanted was all stainless steel. There were several percolators that were "Amazon Choice" items, with lots of people liking them. I always read the reviews .... anyway, here's the one I chose:

Mixpresso Electric Coffee Percolator | Stainless Steel Coffee Maker

As for coffee, I was using an Espresso brand in my ADC & that is a very 'fine' grind - not so good for percolators. I am currently looking at options, including grinding my own coffee. My brother has a little grinder he uses to grind his beans - love the smell. To use up the coffee I have, I ordered some flat disc filters and until they get here, which won't be until the 6th, I'm cutting a regular filter into a flat circle & using it in my percolator which is working fairly well - a few grinds get through around the edges. If I come across a coarse grind that's not too expensive (I can't afford the really expensive stuff), I'll pass the info on to you - for now, just using my regular coffee with a filter.

Melitta 3.5 Inch White Disc Coffee Filters

76 posted on 12/31/2019 5:09:28 AM PST by Qiviut (I love the smell of covfefe in the morning - coffee or napalm, depending on the day.)
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To: sheana

An ‘oldie but goodie’ - I love things like that! When I was looking at percolators to buy one, a lot of people really loved the old Presto percolators; however, as time has passed, so have designs, the way things are manufactured, etc. & now they’re looking at other brands. You could replace your percolator (if it ever gives up the ghost) with another Farberware, but it wouldn’t be the same. The older I get, the more I realize this & cherish what I do have - mom’s old Corningware percolator is an item like your Farberware. Then there’s the memories that go along with an older item - I’ll bet your Farberware, if it could talk, would have some adventurous tales to tell after 25 years & all the travel it’s done! :-)


77 posted on 12/31/2019 5:15:54 AM PST by Qiviut (I love the smell of covfefe in the morning - coffee or napalm, depending on the day.)
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To: All
Speaking of coffee.......here's a coffee deliciously flavored w/ cinnamon, orange zest.
Add rum if you're an imbiber. Whipt cream w/ flecks of grated chocolate finish it off.

CINNAMON ORANGE COFFEE

METHOD In heatproof glass, stir/dissolve 1/2 c hot strong coffee, 2 tsp sugar.
(Can stir in oz ea gold/dark rums here). Add small cinnamon stick, long strip of orange peel .

SERVE Garnished with whipped cream, grated Mexican chocolate, julienned orange slivers.

78 posted on 12/31/2019 6:45:40 AM PST by Liz (Our side has 8 trillion bullets; the other side doesn't know which bathroom to use.)
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To: Qiviut

Funny thing is....it was bought as a joke gift for hubby. We had been on vacation in Manzanillo and when we woke up Hubby went downstairs for coffee for us. He came back with a pure dejected look on his face and said...those people drank all the coffee! So his sister bought him this stainless steel Farberware pot so we could take it everywhere with us. And we did. It went right along with us, along with coffee, creamer, and even 2 unbreakable mugs. lol


79 posted on 12/31/2019 6:51:00 AM PST by sheana
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To: Jamestown1630

Between ATK, ‘Taste of Home’ and good old Betty Crocker recipes, I’ve never had a failure. :)


80 posted on 12/31/2019 7:32:41 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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